Australian Government not doing enough: expert

The Climate Council is calling for the orderly closure of Australia's ageing coal-fired power stations to make way for modern, clean and efficient renewables.

It argued the Australian Government was not doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Not even close," Professor Steffen said.

"To reach the Paris target which we signed up too, we would need to have a target in 2030 of 40 per cent to 60 per cent emission reduction on 2005 levels.

"We've only got 26 per cent to 28 per cent — it is far, far short of what is actually needed according to the science. On present projections we are not even likely to meet that weak target that we have."